PLANT FOOD 

ITS NATURE, 

COMPOSITION AND MOST 

PROFITABLE USE 



PREPARED TO AID 

PRACTICAL FARMERS 



PUBLISHED BY THE 

Supervising Committee of the Experimental Farms 

OF THE 

North Carolina State Horticultural Society, 

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C. 






Publications 

issued by the Supervising Committee are free to farmers. 
The Committee publishes Annual Reports about the Farm 
of a Scientific Nature ; also popular treatises about Manur- 
ing plants, etc. 

Pamphlets of the latter class are "Truck Farming," 
"Experiments with Fertilizers," "The Cow Pea," which 
can be secured free of charge by addressing 

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS, 

SOUTHERN PINES, N. C. 



By tranifH 

'FC 18 m:, 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Introduction. 



PAGE 
• .. 7 



Part I. CHEMISTRY OF FERTILIZERS. 

Nitrogen as a Fertilizer 

Potash as a Fertilizer 

Phosphoric Acid as a Fertilizer 

The function of Lime 

Terms used in stating Fertilizer Analyses 

(a) Nitrogen 

(d) Phosphoric Acid 

(c) Potash .^..............[ 

Loss of Fertilizer Constituents from the Soil i6 

Composition of Fertilizer Materials used as sources of 

(i) Nitrogen 28 

(2) Phosphoric Acid 29 

(3) Potash 20 

Average Composition of most important Farm Manures 31 

Part II. DESCRIPTION OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS. 

Indirect Fertilizers j8 

Direct Fertilizers 20 

Farm -produced fertilizing materials 26 

Part III. USE OF FERTILIZERS. 

Preferences shown by plants for different forms of food 34 

How to use Fertilizers „- 

Needs of different crops „5 

Part IV. MIXTURES FOR DIFFERENT CROPS. 

PAGE PAGE 

Alfalfa 41 Buckwheat 46 

Apples 42 Cabbage 47 

Asparagus 43 Carrots 47 

I^arley 43 Celery 48 

^®ans 44 Cherries 4g 

Beets, garden 45 Clover 50 

Blackberries 46 Corn 50 



PAGE 

Cucumbers 51 

Currants 52 

Egg Plants 52 

Flax 53 

Gooseberries 54 

Grapes ..... 54 

Grass for Pastures 56 

Grass for Lawns 57 

Grass for Meadows 58 

Hops 58 

Lettuce 59 

Lucerne 60 

Nursery Stock 60 

Oats 60 

Onions 61 

Parsnips 62 

Peaches 62 



PAGE 

Pears , 63 

Peas 63 

Plums 63 

Potatoes 65 

Radishes 65 

Raspberries 68 

Rye 69 

Sorghum 69 

Spinach 69 

Squashes 70 

Strawberries 70 

Tobacco 70 

Tomatoes 71 

Turnips 73 

Vetch. 73 

Watermelons 73 

Wheat 73 



Suggestions relating to separate fertilizer ingredients 73 

Methods and seasons of applying fertilizers 75 

Rules for calculating from one compound into other compounds.. 80 



PI^BPAGE. 



This book has been compiled from Bulletin No. 94 
(new series), issued by the New York Agricultural Experi- 
ment Station at Geneva, N Y. The original Bulletin, 
which was prepared by Dr. L. L. Van Slyke, has been 
thoroughly revised with his approval and authority, and 
many of the technical and scientific details are omitted. 
However, all the main points of interest and importance 
are given in this book, which is offered to the careful 
study and consideration of intelligent and practical farmers 
everywhere. 



INTRODUCTION. 

THIS treatise should be carefully studied. It is not 
enough to merely read it over ; the whole foundation 
of scientific manuring is given as briefly as possible, but a 
mere casual reading will not make it of practical use to the 
average farmer. It must be studied. Possibly the best 
plan would be to take it up in sections, and read and re- 
read until the points involved become familiar. 

The farmer must bear in mind that with modern com- 
petition, he cannot afford to neglect the slightest detail. 
A careful study of this book will enable him to buy and 
use the different forms of manures and fertilizers as intelli- 
gently as the progress in agricultural science permits. The 
book should be constantly kept at hand for convenient 
reference. 

Manure and fertilizers are one and the same thing — all 
manures and fertilizers are merely so much nitrogen, pot- 
ash, and phosphoric acid. It is as well for the reader to 
try and not think of manure as so much refuse from the 
stables, but rather as substances containing so much nitro- 
gen, potash, and phosphoric acid. 

THE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL LAWS. 

The systematic scientific study of agriculture was com- 
menced about fifty years ago, and it is to the celebrated 

7 



8 PLANT FOOD 

German agricultural chemist Justus von Liebig we owe the 
following four elementary laws, which are the foundation 
of the best modern practice. 

I. A soil can be termed fertile only when it contains 
all the materials necessary for the nutrition of plants, 
in the required quantity, in the proper form. 

II. With every crop a portion of these ingredients 
is removed A part of this is agam added from the 
inexhaustible store of the atmosphere , another part, 
however, is lost forever if not replaced by man. 

III. The fertility of the soil remains unchanged it 
all the ingredients of the crop are given back to the 
soil. Such a restitution is effected by manure or fer- 
tilizers. 

IV. The manure produced in the course of farming 
is not sufficient to maintam permanently the fertility of 
a farm ; it lacks the constituents which are annually 
sold in the shape of grain, hay, milk, and live stock. 

These laws cove» the whole subject, but to understand 
them so that they may be applied at work in the field, it is 
necessary to have a fair idea of the sources of plant-food of 
the different kinds, and how best to use these different 
kinds for different crops. 



PART I. 

CHEMISTRY OF FERTILIZERS. 

It is generally understood that all manures or fertilizers 
are valuable for the nitrogen, potash, or phosphoric acid 
they contain. Though other substances are needed for 
plant growth, they are almost always present in the soil in 
sufficient quantity. Lime might be made an exception, 
although its use is largely to improve the mechanical con- 
dition of the soil, and cure it of sourness. Lime also 
aids in rotting the vegetable matter. 

NITROGEN AS A FERTILIZER. 

The influence of nitrogen in its various forms upon 
plant growth is shown by at least three striking eflfects. 

First. The growth of stems and leaves is greatly pro- 
moted, while that of buds and flowers is retarded. Ordin- 
arily, most plants, at a certain period of growth, cease to 
produce new branches and foliage, or to increase those 
already formed, and commence to produce flowers and 
fruits, whereby the species may be perpetuated. If a plant 
is provided with as much available nitrogen as it can use 
just at the time it begins to flower, the formation of flowers 
may be checked while the activity of growth is transferred 
back to and lenewed in stems and leaves, which take on a 
new vigor and multiply with luxuriance Should flowers 



lO PLANT FOOD. 

be produced under these circumstances, they are often 
sterile and produce no seed. 

Second. The next effect of nitrogen upon plants is to 
deepen the color of the foliage, which is a sign of increased 
vegetative activity and health. 

Third. Another effect of nitrogen is to increase in a 
very marked degree the relative proportion of nitrogen in 
the plant. 

POTASH AS A FERTILIZER. 

Potash is essential to the formation and transference of 
starch in plants. Starch is known to be first formed in the 
leaves of plants, after which in some way it becomes soluble 
enough within the plant cells to enable it to pass through 
the cell-walls gradually and later to be carried into the 
fruit, where it accumulates and changes back to its in- 
soluble form. It is well established that potash is inti- 
mately connected with the formation of starch in the leaves 
and with its transference to the fruit. No other element 
can take the place of potash in performing this work. 
Potash is important on account of its influence upon the 
development of the woody parts of stems and fleshy por- 
tions of fruits. 

PHOSPHORIC ACID AS A FERTILIZER. 

Experiments have shown that plants will die before 
reaching maturity, unless they have phosphoric acid to 
feed upon. Phosphates appear to perform three distinct 
functions in plants. 

First. They aid in the nutrition of the plant by furnish- 
ing the needed quantities of phosphoric acid. 



PLANT FOOD. II 

Second. They aid the plant, in some way not well un- 
derstood, to make use of or assimilate other ingredients. 
Phosphates are found in the seeds of plants, and, as already 
stated, a plant does not come to maturity and so does not 
produce seeds, unless phosphates are present in the soil for 
the plants to feed upon. The liberal application of avail- 
able phosphate compounds appears to hasten the maturity 
of plants. 

Third. Certain forms of phosphates render the albumi- 
noids sufficiently soluble to enable them to be carried from 
the growing parts of plants to the seeds, in which they 
accumulate in quantity. 

THE FUNCTION OF LIME. 

The chief function of lime is to improve the mechanical 
condition of the soil by loosening heavy clay soils and also 
by holding together and giving body to light sandy soils. 
Lime aids in the decomposition of animal and vegetable 
matter, such as vegetable mould, stable-manure, etc., and 
tends to convert them into available plant-food. 

In using lime, care should be taken not to use too large 
quantities at a time; and, ordinarily, it is best to use it in 
connection with liberal applications of nutritive fertilizers. 
Lime can be used with much advantage on freshly drained 
swamp-lands and also on lands newly cleared. 

TERMS USED IN STATING FERTILIZER ANALYSES. 

Fertilizer dealers, and the Experiment Station Bulletins 
treat the different forms of fertilizer materials separately, 



12 PLANT FOOD. 

and it is important tnat the farmer should be familiar with 

these trade names, and understand what they mean 

The following list contains most of the terms used in 

stating fertilizer analyses. 

Nitrogen is expressed as 

(a) Nitrogen, {b) Ammonia, {c) Nitrogen equal (or 
equivalent) to Ammonia. 

Phosphoric Acid is expressed as 

(a) Phosphoric Acid, {b) Soluble Phosphoric Acid, 
(c) Reverted Phosphoric Acid, {d) Precipitated Phos- 
phoric Acid, (<?) Available Phosphoric Acid, (/) Soluble 
and Available Phosphoric Acid, {g) Insoluble Phos- 
phoric Acid, (//) Total Phosphoric Acid, (/) Phosphoric 
Acid equal (or equivalent) to Bone Phosphate of Lime. 

Potash is expressed as 

{a) Potash, (b) Potash (actual), {c) Potash S. (or Sul ), 
{d) Potash (Soluble), (<?) Potash as Sulphate, (/) Potash 
equal (or equivalent) to Sulphate of Potash, {g) Sul- 
phate of Potash, (Ji) Potassium Oxide. 

NITROGEN. 

{a) Nitrogen is a gas and, in this form, cannot be used 
in fertilizers. Therefore, whenever we speak of nitro- 
gen in fertilizers, we do not mean that nitrogen exists in 
them as simple nitrogen. The nitrogen in fertilizers is 
always combined with other elements, and may be present 
in one or more dififerent forms: — (ist) in the form of 
Nitrates, as nitrate of soda ; (2nd) in the form of Ammonia 
compounds, as sulphate of ammonia ; and (3rd) in the form 



PLANT FOOD. I3 

of organic matter, animal or vegetable, as dried blood, 
meat, tobacco-stems, etc. Chemical analysis according to 
official methods does not attempt to ascertain and state in 
which form or forms the nitrogen is present in a fertilizer. 

When, therefore, nitrogen is expressed in an analysis or 
guarantee as "nitrogen," it refers to the entire amount of 
nitrogen present without regard to the particular form or 
forms in which it is present. 

{b) Ammonia consists of nitrogen combined with hydro- 
gen. A pound of nitrogen will form more than a pound of 
ammonia, because the ammonia formed from a pound of 
nitrogen will contain that pound of nitrogen plus the neces- 
sary amount of hydrogen added to form ammonia. The 
chemical relations of nitrogen and ammonia are such that 
14 pounds of nitrogen will unite with exactly three pounds 
of hydrogen, and will, therefore, produce just 17 pounds of 
ammonia ; or one pound of nitrogen will make 1.2 14 pounds 
of ammonia. 

{c) Nitrogen equal or equivalent to Ammonia is a form of 
expression which simply means that the nitrogen is stated 
not as nitrogen but as ammonia. 

It would be better on every account if all guarantees 
stated simply nitrogen and never mentioned ammonia at 
all. As a matter of fact, compounds of ammonia are quite 
uncommon in commercial fertilizers, because nitrogen in 
this form is the most expensive and, therefore, least used. 
Strictly speaking, the term ammonia should never be used 
except when sulphate of ammonia or some similar com- 
pound is present in the fertilizer. 



14 PLANT FOOD. 

PHOSPHORIC ACID. 

(a) FJiospJioric Acid, as used in connection with fertil- 
izers, is a compound containing phosphorus and oxygen, 
which in fertilizers is found never by itself, but in combina- 
tion with lime. Phosphoric acid stands for a certain amount 
of phosphate of lime. We may say roughly that one part 
of phosphoric acid is equivalent to about two parts of phos- 
phate of lime. But we know that phosphoric acid exists in 
several different forms. 

(/;) Soluble PJwsphoric Acid represents the amount of 
phosphate of lime that dissolves easily in water; it is formed 
by treating with sulphuric acid some form of insoluble lime 
phosphate, such as bones, bone-ash, South Carolina rock, 
etc. The phosphate thus formed is readily soluble in water. 

(r) Reverted Phosphoric Acid is formed from soluble 
phosphoric acid under certain conditions into which we 
need not inquire here. Suffice it to say that the soluble 
compound of phosphoric acid often changes, to some extent, 
on standing into a form, which while less soluble, is still 
quite readily available as plant-food. 

(d^ Precipitated Phosphoric Acid is simply another name 
for reverted phosphoric acid. 

{e) Available Phosphoric Acid includes both the soluble 
and reverted forms of phosphoric acid, because both forms 
are available for the use of plants. 

(/) Soluble atid available Phosphoric Acid is an expres- 
sion which means the same as available. 

{g) Insoluble Phosphoric Acid represents the form of 



PLANT FOOD. ^5 

phosphoric acid in raw phosphate of lime, and which is of 
least value for agricultural purposes. 

(//) Total Phosphoric .-^r/V/ represents the entire phos- 
phoric acid compounds without regard to the forms in 
which they exist. The total phosphoric acid is, therefore, 
the sum of the soluble, reverted and insoluble forms; or, to 
state it m another way, the sum of the available and insolu- 
ble forms. 

(/) Phosphoric Acid equal {or equivalent) to Bone Phos- 
phate of Lime is an expression whicl^ usually means nothing 
more nor less than insoluble phosphoric acid. 

POTASH. 

{a) Potash, as used in connection with fertilizers, always 
means a compound containing potassium and oxygen, 
known chemically as potassium oxide. Potash is never 
found as such in fertilizers, but chemists use this form of 
expressing the results of analyses as a convenient standard 
for reference. Fertilizers generally contain potash m such 
forms as sulphate of potash, muriate of potash, or carbonate 
of potash. Instead of stating the amount of sulphate, 
muriate or carbonate of potash present in a fertilizer, its 
equivalent amount is stated only in the form of actual pot- 
ash in giving the results of analyses. 

{b) Potash actual is simply another name for potash, as 
distinct from sulphate, muriate, etc. 

(c) Potash S. {or sul.) means sulphate of potash. This 
is quite often used by manufacturers in giving guarantees. 



l6 PLANT FOOD. 

(</) Potash soluble represents the amount of potash that 
dissolves in water and is available for the use of plants. 
The different forms of potash commonly used in fertilizers 
are readily soluble in water. 

{e) Potash as Siilphate means simply sulphate of potash. 

(_/) Potash equal (or equivalent to Sulphate of Potash) is 
an expression w^hich means simply sulphate of potash. 

{g) Sulphate of Potash signifies that this compound is 
actually present in the fertilizer, and that there is no muriate 
present. 

(Ji) Potassium Oxide means the same as potash, or actual 
potash. 

LOSS OF FERTILIZER CONSTITUENTS FROM 
THE SOIL. 

Phosphoric Acid. The phosphoric acid in raw materials 
such as ground bone or ground phosphate does not readily 
leach out of the soil. In specially prepared materials, how- 
ever, like dissolved bone or dissolved phosphate (acid phos- 
phate) the phosphoric acid is quite soluble and would be 
removed from the soil by drainage water, were it not for 
the fact that immediately after application the phosphoric 
acid becomes changed into another form which is not apt 
to leach away. 

Nitrogen. The mineral forms of nitrogen such as nitrate 
of soda and sulphate of ammonia, both dissolve easily in 
water, hence they would soon wash into the subsoil and out 
of reach of the plants. The so-called organic forms of 
nitrogen like cotton-seed-meal, tankage, fish-scrap, dried- 
blood, etc., are less soluble, and experience indicates that 



PLANT FOOD. 



17 



they are largely retained in the soil. It is a matter of ob- 
servation also that there is little loss of nitrogen by drain- 
age when the soil is covered with vegetation, because the 
roots of the growing plants absorb nitrogen very readily. 

Potash. It has been found by experience that the potash 
salts do not wash away to any appreciable extent because 
they form certain combinations in the soil which are not so 
soluble, but which at the same time are readily available to 
the growing crop. 

In addition it may be said, in general, that loss of plant- 
food is greatest in sandy soils ; the coarser the sand, the 
greater the loss, the other conditions being the same. Clay 
and humus have very marked power in retaining plant-food. 




General View of Vegetahle Depar'iment, Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines, North Carolina. 



PART II. 

DESCRIPTION OF FERTILIZER MATERIALS. 



INDIRECT FERTILIZERS. 

A stimulant or indirect fertilizer is one which does not 
in itself furnish directly to the soil any needed plant-food, 
but whose chief value depends upon the power it possesses 
of changing unavailable into available forms of plant-food. 
The stimulant or indirect fertilizers which have been most 
commonly employed are lime, gypsum and common salt. 

Gypsum, or Land-Plaster, known also as calcium sulphate 
or sulphate of lime, in some manner aids the process of 
nitrification, by which ammonia and the nitrogen of organic 
matter are converted into nitric acid and nitrates. It also 
acts upon the insoluble forms of potash and other elements 
of plant-food, converting them into soluble and available 
forms ; it is of value on certain soils to certain crops, such 
as clover, peas, lucerne and similar plrnts. 

Quicklime or Burnt Lime, or calcium oxide, commonly 
called lime, produces changes in both the physical and the 
chemical character of soils. Freshly burned lime acts 
chemically upon soils by decomposing vegetable and min- 
eral matter already present in the soil and changing them 
into forms which are available as food for the plant. Thus, 



PLANT FOOD. I9 

lime acts upon insoluble mineral substances containing 
potash, etc., and converts them into soluble forms. Lime 
aids in the decomposition of animal and vegetable matter, 
such as vegetable mould, stable-manure, etc., and tends to 
convert them into available plant-food. In using lime, care 
should be taken not to use too large quantities at a time, 
and, ordinarily, it is best to use it in connection with liberal 
applications of nutritive fertilizing substances. Lime can 
be used to advantage on freshly drained swamp-lands and 
also on lands newly cleared. 

Common salt has an indirect fertilizing value which is 
mainly due to the fact that it has the power of changing 
unavailable forms of plant-food, especially potash, into 
available forms. 

Danger in using Stimulant Fertilizers. It should 
be kept in mind that these stimulant fertilizers — that is, 
gypsum (or plaster), lime, and salt, — are not used for the 
plant-food contained in them ; hence, as used, they do not 
furnish needed plant-food. The chief value of their use lies 
in the fact that they can change unavailable into available 
forms of plant-food. It can readily be seen that, when 
stimulant fertilizers are used exclusively for a term of years, 
the soil each year loses nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid, 
which are not replaced. The inevitable result of such treat- 
ment is the exhaustion of these important food constitu- 
ents from the soil. This affords an explanation of the 
question often raised now as to why the application of land- 
plaster does not give such results in crop yields at present 
as in former days. When land-plaster was the only fertiliz- 



20 PLANT FOOD. 

ing material added to soils for years in succession, it was 
possible to produce increased crops so long as there were 
in the soil enough compounds of nitrogen, potassium and 
phosphorus to be rendered available by the action of the 
land-plaster. When, therefore, these forms of plant-food 
were largely removed, there was nothing for the land-plaster 
to act upon, in orde to increase the supply of available 
food material. The land-plaster furnished no needed food 
but simply helped the crop to use more rapidly the store of 
plant-food present in the soil. 

DIRECT FERTILIZERS. 

Direct fertilizers contain forms of plant-food, which 
contribute directly to the growth and substance of plants. 
Such materials may contain either nitrogen, or potash, or 
phosphoric acid compounds, or any two, or all three of 
these forms of plant-food. 

Nitrate of Soda, known also as "Chili saltpeter," is 
found in large deposits which have been formed in the 
rainless regions of Chili and Peru. Good commercial 
nitrate of soda contains from 15I to 16 per cent, of nitrogen. 

Sulphate of Ammonia is formed from waste materials 
produced in the manufacture of illuminating gas or coke. 
Sulphate of ammonia contains about 25 per cent, of am- 
monia, which is equivalent to about 2o|^ per cent, of 
nitrogen. 

Cotton- Seed-Meal is the product formed by removing the 
oil from cotton-seed by pressure, after which the material is 
dried and ground. Cotton-seed-meal contains about 7 per 



PLANT FOOD. 21 

cent, of nitrogen, 3 per cent, of phosphoric acid and 2 per 
cent, of potash. The hulls of the cotton-seed also possess 
considerable fertilizing value. 

Tobacco-Stems are the refuse from tobacco-factories. 
They contain usually from 5 to 8 per cent, of potash, 2 to 3 
per cent, of nitrogen, and a small quantity of phosphoric 
acid. 

Dried-Blood consists of blood obtained from slaughtering 
animals; it is prepared for market by evaporating, drying 
and grinding. The color varies from red to black. Dried- 
blood contains from 10 to 15 per cent, of nitrogen. 

Dried-Fish, Scraps and Ground-Fish consist of refuse 
from fish-oil works and canneries ; it is dried and ground 
for market. Dried ground-fish, of good quality, contains 
from 7 to 8 per cent, of nitrogen, together with as much or 
more insoluble phosphoric acid. 

Meat-Scraps, Tankage, etc., are slaughter-house refuse, 
dried and ground. Good tankage contains 10 per cent, or 
more of nitrogen and often 10 per cent, or more of insoluble 
phosphoric acid. 

Nitrogenous Guanos are formed in dr}' regions. The 
Peruvian guano was rich in nitrogen, containing 7 per cent, 
or more. They usually contain 7 to 12 per cent, phosphoric 
acid, and about i per cent, potash. 

Bones consist mostly of calcium phosphate or phosphate 
of lime, which constitutes from one-half to three-fifths of the 
weight of the bone. The remaining portion is a soft, flesh- 
like substance commonly called gelatin. It is distributed 
throughout the entire mass of bone, and is rich in nitrogen. 



2 2 PLANT FOOD. 

When bones are burned, the nitrogenous matter is driven 
off and only the mineral portion or phosphate of lime re- 
mains. Bones such as are used in making commercial 
fertilizers, contain 4 to 5 per cent, of nitrogen, and from 20 
to 25 per cent, of phosphoric acid, about § of which is in- 
sokible and approximately ^ available. 

Bone-Ash is made simply by burning bones in the open 
air. The nitrogen is lost in burning, and the chief consti- 
tuent is insoluble calcium phosphate, equivalent to 30 to 35 
or more per cent, of phosphoric acid for the most part 
insoluble. 

Bone-Blacky known also as bone-charcoal, is extensively 
used in refining sugar. After it has been used several times, 
portions become useless for refining purposes, and are then 
sold as a fertilizer. It is made by heating bones in closed 
vessels ; the fat, water and nitrogen are driven off, and the 
bone-black remaining consists mainly of insoluble calcium 
phosphate and carbon or charcoal. Good bone-black may 
contain 30 or more per cent, of phosphoric acid mostly 
insoluble. 

Bone-Meal goes under various names, such as ground 
bone, bone-flour, bone-dust, etc. Raw bone-meal contains 
the fat naturally present in bones. The presence of the 
fat is objectionable, because it retards the decomposition of 
the bone in the soil, while fat itself has no value as plant- 
food. The presence of easily decaying nitrogen compounds 
in bone hastens, in the process of decomposition, to dissolve 
more or less of the insoluble phosphate. Bone-meal should 
contain from 3 to 5 per cent, of nitrogen, and from 20 to 25 



PLANT FOOD. 23 

per cent, of phosphoric acid ; about one-third to one-fourth 
of the latter appears to be in readily available condition. 
Raw bone-meal generally contains somewhat more nitrogen 
(i or 2 per cent.) and rather less phosphoric acid than 
steamed bone-meal. The fineness of the meal affects its 
value ; the finer the meal, the more readily available it is 
for plant-food. 

Phosphatic Guanos, or Rock Guatios. Guanos generally 
consists chiefly of the dung of sea-fowls, though the term is 
applied to other animal products. They are generally 
found in beds resembling earthy deposits. The guanos 
which are called phosphatic contain little or no nitrogen. 
Their phosphoric acid is generally in the insoluble form. 
These guanos come mainly from certain islands in the 
Pacific Ocean, and from Caribbean Sea and West India 
Islands. The phosphoric acid in guanos is very variable, 
ranging from below 15 to over 30 per cent. 

Rock Phosphates are known under several different names 
which generally designate the localities from which they 
come, as South Carolina Rock, Florida Rock, Tennessee 
Rock, West India Rock, etc. Other forms of mineral phos- 
phates are known under the names of apatite, coprolite, and 
phosphorite, which are found in various places in America 
and Europe, and some of which aie used in making com- 
mercial fertilizers. The rock phosphates are extensively 
used in making acid phosphates. When ground to a very 
fine flour-like powder, rock phosphates are called " floats." 
Rock phosphates contain usually from 25 to 30 per cent, of 
insoluble phosphoric acid, and some as much as 35 to 40 
per cent. 



24 PLANT FOOD. 

Acid Phosphates are known under several different names, 
such as superphosphates, dissolved bone, dissolved Rock, 
dissolved bone-black, etc. Acid phosphates are formed by- 
treating some form of insoluble phosphate of lime, as rock- 
phosphate, bone, bone-ash, etc., v^ith sulphuric acid. By 
this treatment there are formed soluble phosphate of lime 
and gypsum (sulphate of lime) in nearly equal proportions. 
Superphosphate made from rock phosphates may contain 
from 12 to i8 per cent, of available phosphoric acid. 

Thomas Slag, also known under several other names, 
such as basic iron slag, Thomas scoria, Phosphate slag, etc. 
It is a by-product formed in the manufacture of iron and 
steel from certain kinds of iron ore containing phosphorus 
compounds. It usually contains between 19 and 20 per 
cent, of total phosphoric acid, with 6 to 7 and more per 
cent, of available phosphoric acid. 

Cotton- Seed-Hull Ashes were produced in the South at 
the cotton-seed-oil factories, where the hulls, after being 
removed from the cotton-seed, were used as fuel. Such ashes 
contain from 15 to 25 per cent, of potash, in addition to 
from 7 to 10 per cent, of phosphoric acid. This material is 
not commonly found now. 

Kainit is the most commonly imported product of the 
German potash mines. It is a mixture of several different 
compounds, containing about 12.5 per cent, of actual potash 
together with about 35 per cent, of common salt, also 
magnesia salts. 

Muriate of Potash^ a manufactured salt from products of 
the Stassfurt mines, is the main source of supply for potash 



PLANT FOOD. i^ 

for commercial fertilizers in our market, and contains 50 to 
53 per cent, of actual potash. 

Sulphate of Potash is also a manufactured salt from pro- 
ducts of the German mines. The product found in the 
market contains from 48 to 51 per cent, of actual potash. 

Sulphate of Potash- Magnesia is known also as double 
manure salt or low grade sulphate of potash. This material 
comes from the German mines and contains 26 to 28 per 
cent, of actual potash. It also contains 32 to 36 per cent, of 
sulphate of magnesia. 

Carbonate of Potash-Magnesia contains about 18 per cent, 
potash and 19 per cent magnesia, both as carbonates. It is 
practically free of chlorine. It is also a product of the 
German potash mines. 

Wood-Ashes contain more or less potash, which is present 
chiefly in the form of carbonate. The amount of potash in 
commercial wood-ashes varies from below 4 to over 7 per 
cent., the average being under 5 per cent. Wood-ashes also 
contain between i and 2 per cent, of phosphoric acid. 

The following are inferior sources of nitrogen. They 
are all very slowly available, and should be used only where 
immediate effects are not sought. In some States the fer- 
tilizer laws either prohibit the use of these substances in 
fertilizers or demand that these goods shall be specified 
when used in making mixtures. 

Hair is obtained from slaughter houses ; it is often 
mixed with dried blood and other forms of animal matter. 
It contains about 15 per cent, of nitrogen. 

Hoof-Meal and Horn-Dust are by-products containing 



26 PLANT FOOD. 

lo to 15 per cent, nitrogen and about 2 per cent, phosphoric 
acid. They are sometimes treated with super-heated steam 
or with sulphuric acid, the treatment rendering the nitrogen 
compounds more readily available. 

Leather-Scraps and Leather-Meal are waste products of 
various factories. When treated with super-heated steam 
and dried or roasted, they can be finely ground. They con- 
tain 7 to 8 per cent, nitrogen which, however, is not in a 
readily available form. 

FARM-PRODUCED FERTILIZING MATERIALS. 

Stable or farmyard manure consists of the solid and 
liquid excrements of the animals fed on the farm, mixed 
with straw and waste products of the farm. 

LLorse-Manure is difficult to mix thoroughly with litter 
on account of its being very dry. It is called a "hot" 
manure, because, on account of its loose textu.e, it easily 
undergoes decomposition or fermentation, producing a high 
degree of heat. On this account it is very liable to lose 
more or less of its nitrogen in the form of ammonia. 

Sheep-Manure is quite dry, and is commonly the richest 
of farm produced manures. Like horse-manure, it under- 
goes fermentation easily and is classed as " hot " manure. 
It is similarly very liable to lose ammonia. 

Pig-Manure varies greatly in composition, but is gener- 
ally rich as compared with other farm-produced fertilizer 
materials, and contains considerable water. In decompos- 
ing, it produces but little heat, and is, therefore, called a 
"cold " manure. 



PLANT FOOD. 27 

Co7v-Maniire contains, as a rule, less fertilizing materials 
than any of the preceding manures. It contains a large 
amount of water, and, in decomposing, generates little heat. 

Poultry-Manure contains a comparatively large amount 
of all the different forms of plant-food, being especially rich 
in nitrogen and phosphoric acid. It undergoes fermentation 
readily, and loses nitrogen unless properly treated with ab- 
sorbents or preservatives. 

Generally speaking, manures produced from working or 
fattening animals contain from 90 to 95 per cent, of the 
fertilizing constituents contained in the food. Manure made 
from cows in milk and young, growing animals contains 
from 50 to 85 per cent, of the fertilizing constituents con- 
tained in the food. In the case of animals which are neither 
increasing in weight, nor giving milk, the amount of fertil- 
izing materials in the manure will be nearly equal to that 
contained in th'- food eaten. The foregoing statements pre- 
suppose that all the dung and urine are saved, a supposition 
which is not often true, considering the manner in which 
stable-manure is commonly treated. 

Perhaps the element of manures least understood is the 
humic matter, of which ordinary manures contain from 16 
to 20 per cent. The litter used in bedding stock furnishes 
much of this, and the quantity depends upon the nature of 
the material used. 



PLANT FOOD. 



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32 



PLANT FOOD. 




General View of Fruit Department, Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines, North Carolina. 



PART III. 
THE USE OF FERTILIZERS. 

There is no way to tell, without experiment, what food 
constituents a soil lacks. The crops themselves give valu- 
able suggestions. As a rule lack of nitrogen is indicated 
when plants are pale-green in color, or when there is small 
growth of leaf or stalk, other conditions being favorable. 
A bright, deep green color, with a vigorous growth of leaf 
or stalk, is, in case of most crops, a sign that nitrogen is not 
lacking, but does not necessarily indicate that more nitro- 
gen could not be used to advantage. An excessive growth 
of leaf or stalk, accompanied by an imperfect bud, flower, 
and fruit development, indicates too much nitrogen for the 
potash and phosphoric acid present. When such crops as 
corn, cabbage, grass, potatoes, etc., have a luxuriant, health- 
ful growth, an abundance of potash in the soil is indicated; 
also when fleshy fruits of fine flavor and texture can be 
successfully grown. On the contrary, when these plants 
fail of a luxuriant growth, or are very low grade in quality, 
it is a certain indication that potash is lacking. When a 
soil produces good, early maturing crops of grain, with 
plump and heavy kernels, phosphoric acid will not generally 
be found deficient in the soil. 

In order to ascertain with greater certainty what food 
elements are lacking in the soil, the surest way is for each 

33 



34 



PLANT FOOD. 



tarmer to do some experimenting on liis own soil and crops. 
Apply different kinds of fertilizing materials in different 
combinations, using, for example, potash compounds in one 
place, phosphoric acid compounds in another, nitrogenous 
materials in another. Then different combinations can be 
made on other portions of the crop. Some portions of the 
field can be left without application of any kind. The 
result can then be studied in the yield of crop. In carrying 
on such field tests, several difficulties may be met. The 
season may frequently be such as to interfere seriously with 
the favorable action of the fertilizing materials applied. 
Thus, a severe drought may counteract all other conditions 
and prevent a satisfactory yield. The difference of mechan- 
ical condition of the soil on the same %rm or even in the 
same field may prevent a fair comparison of the action of 
different kinds of fertilizing materials and elements. But, 
notwithstanding such difficulties, valuable suggestions will 
be gained from an experimental study of one's soil through 
the behavior of the crops. 

PREFERENCES SHOWN BY PLANTS FOR DIFFERENT 
FORMS OF FOOD. 

It is a fact of great interest and importance that one 
form of a fertilizing constituent is preferred by some plants 
to the same constituent in another form. This preference 
is indicated by greater yield or better quality of product or 
by both. Thus, wheat seems to give better results when 
nitrogen is applied in the form of nitrate of soda than in 
any other form. The quality of tobacco is injured by 
potash in the form of muriate and, hence, only sulphate 



PLANT FOOD. 35 

should be used for fertilizing purposes. The quality of 
sugar beets and of potatoes appears to be better when sul- 
phate of potash is used. 

HOW TO USE FERTILIZERS. 

While the soil may contain certain quantities of fertilizer 
naturally, in most cases it will not pay to give serious atten- 
tion to this source of fertilization. Farmyard manure, and 
similar refuse substance should always be used with hoed 
crops, in which case it is plowed under; otherwise it is best 
used as a top dressing. When plowed under, farm manures 
should be applied for fall plowing, unless the crop to be 
grown covers the entire growing season, as, for example, 
Indian corn. The fertilizer in such manures becomes avail- 
able very slowly. 

Nitrate of soda, when used alone, should always be ap- 
plied to growing crops, and for quick effects. For young 
fruit trees or for vegetables, one or more applications may 
be made with benefit. Complete fertilizers usually have a 
small proportion of their nitrogen in the form of nitrate of 
soda, and the remainder in a less active form, so that by the 
time the nitrate of soda is utilized, the other nitrogenous 
products become effective. 

Sulphate of ammonia is a quick-acting nitrogenous fert- 
ilizer, but should be used only when the soil has been lately 
limed. Dried-blood, dried-fish and other similar materials 
are less active than nitrate of soda, but more so than the 
nitrogen of farm manures. They are generally used in 
complete fertilizers, and are best plowed in, or drilled in at 
seeding time. All forms of potash are equally available, 



^6 PLANT FOOD. 

but should be applied as early in the season as possible; 
even fall applications i.re advisable, as there is little danger 
of loss through drainage. Lime also aids the effectiveness 
of potash salts. Phosphates in the form of "supers" or 
acid phosphates, are very quickly available, resembling 
nitrate of soda in this respect, though it is hardly advisable 
to make more than one application, early in the season or 
at planting time. All other forms of phosphates are best 
applied in the fall, or very early in the spring. 

NEEDS OF DIFFERENT CROPS. 

It is a well known fact that different crops need different 
quantities of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid com- 
pounds. If we know with a fair degree of accuracy how 
many pounds of nitrogen, potash and phosphoric acid a 
crop of any kind will remove from the soil, then we have 
fairly definite knowledge of the amounts of different forms 
of plant-food to apply to the soil to insure a crop. If we 
could not depend upon the soil to furnish any plant-food, 
then, we should use, at least, the amounts of fertilizing ma- 
terials removed by one crop. In the following table, we 
give the number of pounds of nitrogen, phosphoric acid and 
potash used by different kinds of crops grown on one acre 
of land. In studying this table, we must keep in mind that 
the figures do not in every case represent the amount of 
plant-food removed from the soil. Thus, with clovers, 
beans, peas and other leguminous crops, a portion of the 
nitrogen is obtained from the air, and hence we have need 
to apply less nitrogen in the form of fertilizer than appears 



PLANT FOOD. 



37 



to be called for by the table. In the case of fruits, like 
apples, pears, plums, etc., it will be found safe often to 
apply larger quantities than the table calls for, because the 
figures in the table do not indicate the demands made by 
the tree in increasing its growth. 

Table giving the Amounts of Fertilizer Ingredients 

(Nitrogen, Potash and Phosphoric Acid) CONTAINED 

IN the Crop from One Acre. 



CROP. 



Apples 

Barley 

Beans 

Buckwheat . . . 

Cabbage 

♦Clover, green. 
Clover, dry . . . 

Corn 

Grapes 

Hops 

Mixed Hay. . . 

Oats 

Onions 

Pears 

Peas 

Plums 

Potatoes 

Rye 

Sugar Beets. . . 
Timothy Hay.. 

Tobacco 

Tomatoes 

Turnips 

Wheat 



Yield. 



15 tons 
30 bu. 
30 " 

34 " 
30 tons 



70 bu. 
2 tons 
600 lbs. 



60 bu. 

45,000 lbs. 

16 tons 

30 bu. 

8 tons 

200 bu. 

30 " 
15 tons 



1,600 lbs. 

10 tons 
700 bu. 

35 " 



Straw, etc. 



2,000 lbs. 
2,700 " 
2,800 " 



15 tons 

2 " 
6,000 lbs. 
7,000 " 
2,700 " 
5,000 " 
3,200 " 



3,000 lbs. 



1,50c lbs. 

4,250 " 
6,000 " 
4,000 " 

I>400 stems 



5 tons 
3,000 lbs. 



Nitro- 


Potash. 


gen. 




39 lbs. 


60 lbs. 


57 " 


51 ' 




75 " 


53 ' 




56 " 


40 ' 




200 " 


270 ' 




130 " 


140 ' 




82 " 


88 ' 




83 " 


55 ' 




32 " 


39 ' 




84 " 


53 ' 




70 " 


77 ' 




55 " 


62 ' 




72 " 


72 ' 




32 " 


26 ' 




108 " 


52 ' 




30 " 


40 ' 




46 - 


74 ' 




51 " 


45 ' 




69 - 


143 ' 




89 " 


94 ' 




76 " 


200 ' 




32 " 


54 ' 




80 " 


180 ' 




59 " 


31 ' 





Phosphoric 
Ai.iH. 



3olbs 

17 

30 

14 

70 

40 

18 

48 

II 

23 
18 

22 

37 
10 

ZZ 
4 
21 
26 
32 

23 
16 

20 

52 

24 



*Crimson Clover. 



38 PLANT Foot). 

The above table may safely be used in computing the 
probable draught on the soil for each of the crops men- 
tioned. It must be understood, however, that for fruits, the 
demand for fertilizer for the annual wood growth, and for 
the leaves and pruned twigs is not included. 




Showing Effect of Fertilizers on Cow Peas. — Vine in right hand, 

FROM unfertilized PORTION OF THE FIELD; ViNK IN LEFT 

hand, from fertilized part. 
From Experiment Farm, Southern Pines, N. C. 



PART IV. 
MIXTURES FOR DIFFERENT CROPS. 

In making fertilizer mixtures, it was first proposed to 
make the ingredients correspond to the analysis of the plant. 
This method was practiced for some time, but it was found 
that there was already in the soil more or less available 
plant-food and that fertilizing material was often applied 
where one or more constituents could be omitted or reduced 
in quantity. It was then suggested that soil analysis should 
form the basis of determining the needs of the soil for dif- 
ferent crops, but this failed to produce satisfactory results. 
The formulas at present used by many have been based, in 
part, upon the composition of the plant, and, in part, upon 
actual field tests. 

The amount of nitrogen called for by analysis of plants 
is generally reduced, because we can depend upon the soil 
to furnish a considerable amount. In case of leguminous 
crops, the amount of nitrogen which we need to supply can 
be reduced to a small fraction of what the plant will use, 
because such crops can draw their main supply of nitrogen 
from the air. 

The amount of soluble phosphoric acid is ordinarily in- 
creased above what plant analysis calls for, because the 
solubility is more or less decreased after the fertilizer comes 
in contact with the soil. 

39 



4d PLANT FOOD. 

The formulas given in the pages following have been 
drawn fiom such various sources as could be considered 
reliable. The materials which are given for use are as- 
sumed to have a fairly definite composition, and calculations 
are based on the following composition : 

(i) Nitrate of soda, containing i6 per cent, of nitrogen. 

(2) Dried-blood, containing 10 per cent, of nitrogen. 

(3) Sulphate of ammonia, containing 20 per cent, of 
nitrogen. 

(4) Bone-meal, containing 20 per cent, of total phos- 
phoric acid (one half being calculated as available during 
first season of application) also containing 4 per cent, of 
nitrogen. 

Whenever bone-meal is used in a mixture, allowance 
should be made for its nitrogen, and so much less of other 
forms of nitrogen materials used. 

(5) Dissolved bone, containing 15 per cent, of available 
phosphoric acid, and 3 per cent, of nitrogen. 

(6) Acid phosphate, containing 12 per cent, of available 
phosphoric acid. 

(7) Muriate of potash, containing 50 per cent, of potash. 

(8) Sulphate of potash, containing 50 per cent, of potash. 

(9) Kainit, containing 12 to 13 per cent, of potash. 

In the directions for making equivalent fertilizers, it will 
be noticed that under each head of nitrogen, potash, or 
phosphoric acid, three separate sources of supply are given. 
Any one of these three may be used, depending on the 
home supply or the state of the market, as each one supplies 
the same quantity of actual fertilizer; but it will be well to 
examine carefully the remarks given earlier in this book as 



PLANT FOOD. 4' 

to the fertilizer functions of the three chief fertilizer ingre- 
dients, and decide from the nature of the crop to be grown 
whether a quick-acting fertilizer is needed, or if a more 
slow-acting fertilizer is desirable. For crops growing 
throughout a long season, it is better to use a portion of 
the nitrogen from a quick-acting source like nitrate of soda 
and a portion from a slow-acting source, as tankage, dried- 
blood ".r bone-meal. 

ALFALFA. 
Use per acre from 400 to 800 pounds of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen i per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 8 

Potash 10 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 
used, which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

( (i) 30 to 60 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen J (2) 25 to 50 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 50 to 100 " dried-blood. 

( (i) 300 to 600 lbs. bone-meal, or 
Available j L) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid ^ J^^ ^50 to 500 " acid phosphate. 

( (i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash \{2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

((3) 325 to 650 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Like clover, alfalfa needs only small ap- 
plications of nitrogen, because it can obtain nitrogen 
from the air. A liberal supply of phosphoric acid and 



42 



PLANT FOOD. 



potash compounds needs to be applied from time to time, 
the application being made preferably in the fall or early 
winter. Lime needs to be present m the soil in liberal pro- 
portions. When deficient, it can be applied in the form of 
ground limestone, chalk or marl at the rate of one to three 
tons an acre, and preferably two or three years before sow- 
ing crop. 

APPLES. 

For an apple orchard, an annual top-dressing of 400 to 
800 pounds is necessary of a fertilizer as follows: 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 8 *' 
Potash 12 " 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 
used, which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds 7naterials per acre. 

i) 50 to 100 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

2) 40 to 80 " sulph. of ammo., or 

3) 80 to 160 " dried-blood. 



Nitrogen, 



Available 
Phosphoric Acid 

Potash 



i) 300 to 600 lbs. bone-meal, or 

2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 

3) 250 to 500 *' acid phosphate. 

i) 100 to 200 lbs. muriate, or 

2) 100 to 200 " sulphate, or 

3) 400 to 800 " kainit. 

Suggestiotis. Excessive application of nitrogen com- 
pounds to apple orchards is to be avoided, because it favors 
rank growth of trees at the expense of fruit. Fruit trees in 
bearing require annual application of fertilizers for best 
results. 



PLANT P^OOD. 43 

ASPARAGUS. 

As a fertilizer, use per acre from 400 to 800 pounds of 
the following : 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 7 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 
used, which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

■s^. J (i) 120 to 240 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

^ ( (2) 200 to 400 " dried-blood. 

. •] Vii ( (0 3°° to 600 lbs. bone-meal, or 

^, , . A • , i (2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid ) ; ( ^ ^ ., -^ u -u ^ 

^ ( (3) 250 to 500 ' acid phosphate. 

i (i) 70 to 140 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash... •] (2) 70 to 140 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 3°° to 600 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Stable-manure may be applied every two 
or three years in the fall after removing plants, and also 
every year a dressing of phosphoric acid and potash. 
Nitrate of soda is applied to best advantage in the spring, 
just as the shoots begin to appear. 

BARLEY. 

Use per acre 500 to 1000 lbs. of a fertilizer as follows : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 7 " 

Potash 8 " 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 



44 



PLANT FOOD. 



used, which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively: 

Poti7ids materials per acre. 
( (i) 75 to 150 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen \{'^) 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 125 to 250 " dried-blood. 

. ., ,, r(i) 200 to 400 lbs. bone-meal, or 

T^v \^ • A -^ -< (2) it;o to -^oo " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid \) I ^ ^ '^ ,, -,1 1. 
((3) 175 to 350 " acid phosphate. 

r (i) 50 to 100 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -< (2) 50 to 100 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 200 to 400 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Excess of nitrogen as found in stable- 
manure is to be avoided, because the quality of the grain 

may be injured. 

BEANS. 

Use per acre 500 to 1000 pounds of the following : 

Nitrogen i per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 7 " 

Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 
used, which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

^ (i) 30 to 60 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen -< (2) 25 to 50 " sulph. of ammo., or 

((3) 5° to 100 " dried-blood. 

Avj,il«hl^ ( (^^ 250 to 500 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Avaiiapie j .. ^oo to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid I y ^^^ ^^ l^^ . bone-meal. 

^ (i) 70 to 140 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash i (2) 70 to 140 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 3°° to 600 " kainit. 



PLANT FOOD. 45 

Suggestio7is. The formula given above applies to beans 
grown for the seeds. When beans are grown to be eaten 
green, as for string beans, three or four times as much 
nitrogen should be applied, as for example, loo to 200 
pounds of nitrate of soda for one acre; this is applied pre- 
ferably in three or four portions at different times rather 
than all at once. The extra application of nitrogen will 
develop the foliage and pods and retard ripening. 

BEETS-GARDEN. 

Use per acre from 500 to 1,000 pounds of a fertilizer 
analyzing as follows : 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

i (i) 120 to 240 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen •] (2) 100 to 200 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 200 to 400 " dried-blood. 

Available ( ^^^ ^°° ^*-* 4°° ^bs. acid phosphate, or 
Phosphoric Acid j(\) ^7510350 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 250 to 500 ' bone-meal. 

I (i) 70 to 140 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -| (2) 70 to 140 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 300 to 600 " kainit. 

Suggestions. When beets are grown for sugar, potash is 
preferably used in the form of sulphate. In growing beets 



46 PLANT FOOD. 

for garden or feeding purposes, somewhat less nitrogen can 
be used. 

BLACKBERRIES. 

Use per acre 500 to 1,000 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 " 
Potash 8 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials pe7- acre. 

i (i) 100 to 200 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen •] (2) 75 to 150 ' sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 150 to 300 " dried-blood. 

Available ( ^^^ ^5° ^° ^°° ^^^- ^^'^ phosphate, or 

T-,, , '. A .J •< (2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid ; ; ( ,3 ,< u 1 

( (3) 3°° to 600 bone-meal. 

( (i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -< (2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 300 to 600 " kainit, 

BUCKWHEAT. 

Use per acre 350 to 700 pounds of a fertilizer containing: 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 8 " 

Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above, the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 



PLANT FOOD. 47 

Pounds materials per acre. 
i (i) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
Nitrogen.. ..... -| (2) 75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 150 to 300 " dried-blood. 

Available ( ^^^ ^5° '° 5°° ^bs. acid phosphate, or 

T-., , . A -J -s (2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
rhosphonc Acid ]) { .7 c< u 1 

'(3) 300 to 600 bone-meal. 

!(i) 70 to 140 lbs. muriate, or 
(2) 70 to 140 " sulphate, or 
(3) 300 to 600 " kainit. 

CABBAGE. 

Use per acre from 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 " 

Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materz'als per acre. 

[i) 250 to 500 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen •] (2) 200 to 400 " sulph. of ammo., or 

j) 400 to 800 " dried-blood. 



Available 
Phosphoric Acid 



Potash , 



i) 600 to 1200 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

2) 500 to 1000 " dissolved bone, or 

3) 700 to 1400 " bone-meal. 

i) 180 to 360 lbs. muriate, or 

2) 180 to 360 " sulphate, or 

3) 700 to 1400 " kainit. 

CARROTS. 

Use per acre from 500 to 1000 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing : 



48 



PLANT FOOD. 



Nitrogen 3 per cent: 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 " 
Potash 8 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo , or 
150 to 300 " dried-blood. 



(I 
Nitrogen ^ (2 

(3 



Available 
Phosphoric Acid 



(I 

(3 

(I 
Potash \{2 

(3 



300 to 600 lbs. acid phosphate, or 
250 to 500 '* dissolved bone, or 
350 to 700 " bone-meal. 

80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 
80 to 160 " sulphate, or 
300 to 600 " kainit. 



Suggestions. 



When stable-manure is used, it is preferabl)'^ 
applied to the land the preceding year. 

CELERY. 

Use per acre from 800 to 1600 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing ; 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 6 " 
Potash 8 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may bo 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

r (i) 250 to 500 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen -I (2) 200 to 400 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 400 to 800 " dried-blood. 



PLANT FOOD. 49 

Poufids materials per acre. 

Available ( ^'^ 400 to 800 lbs. acid phosphate, or 
Phosphoric Acid J^l 350 to 700 " dissolved bone, or 
'(3) 500 to 1000 bone-meal. 

i (i) 130 to 260 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash •] (2) 13010 260 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 5°° to 1000 " kainit. 

Suggestions. On muck soils the amount of nitrogen may 
be decreased and that of potash increased. The direct ap- 
plication of stable-manure has been found often to produce 
rusty celery. 

CHERRIES. 

The fertilizer application should be from 500 to 1000 
pounds per acre, of a fertilizer containing : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 7 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Potiiids materials per acre, 

i (i) 60 to 120 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen \K'^^ 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo , <>: 

( (3) 100 to 200 " dried-blood. 

. -1 v,l ( (0 3°° to 600 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

T^, u • A -J -I (2) 2150 to soo " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid )) \ ^ ^ ^ u u 1 

( (3) 35° to 700 bone-meal. 

^(i) 90 to 180 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -^ (2) 90 to 180 " sulphate, or 

((3) 35010700 " kainit. 



5° 



PLANT FOOD. 



The application per tree, depending on whether light or 
heavy bearing may be expected, would be as follows : 

Poiuids Jiiaterials per tree. 

y) \ to I lb. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen -^ (2) -J to i " siilph. of ammonia, or 

;) I to 2 " dried-blood. 



Available 
Phosphoric Acid 

Potash 



i) 3 to 6 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

2) 2\ to 5 " dissolved bone, or 

3) 3^ *-o 7 " bone-meal. 

1) I to 2 lbs. muriate, or 

2) I to 2 " sulphate, or 

3) 3i to 7 " kainit. 



CLOVER. 

Fertilizer for Clovei", same as for Alfalfa. 



CORN. 

Use per acre 500 to 1000 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 7 " 

Potash 6 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively: 

Po2(nds materials per acre. 

!(i) 60 to 120 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
(2) 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo., or 
(3) 100 to 200 " dried-blood. 

. -1 ui ((0 3°° to 600 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

T-,! 1 • A -J -^(2) 21:0 to soo " dissolved bone, or 
Phosphoric Acid ]) , . ,< u 1 

'(3) 350 to 700 " bone-meal. 



PLANT FOOD. 5I 

( (i) 60 to 120 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash < (2). 60 to 120 '' sulphate, or 

( (3) 250 to 500 ■' kainit. 

Suggestio7is. The nitrogen may be applied to advantage 
in the form" of stable-manure, especially if the soil is at all 
lacking in humus. For sweet corn, somewhat larger 
amounts of nitrogen may be applied. 

CUCUMBERS 

Use at the rate of 750 to 1500 pounds per acre of the 
following fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 6 " 
Potash 8 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

!(i) 180 to 360 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
(2) 150 to 300 '• sulph.of ammo., or 
(3) 300 to 600 " dried-blood. 

Available i (i) 400 to 800 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -< (2) 350 to 700 " dissolved bone, or 
((3) 500 to 1000 " bone-meal. 

i(x) 130 to 260 lbs. muriate, or 
(2) 130 to 260 " sulphate, or 
(3) 500 to 1000 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Too much nitrogen is to be avoided, as 
there will be a tendency to excessive growth of vines, and 
the fruit will be less firm and more likely to decay. Sul- 
phate of ammonia will often give better results than the 



52 PLANT FOOD. 

more quickly acting nitrate of soda, as the period of growth 
will be longer and the yield larger. Stable-manure, when 
used, is preferably applied in fall, followed by sulphate of 
ammonia in the spring. The phosphoric acid may be 
applied, one-half in the fall and the rest in the spring. 

CURRANTS. 

Use per acre 500 to 1000 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent, 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 5 " 
Potash 8 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds jnaterials per acre. 

i(i) 60 to 120 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
(2) 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo., or 
(3) 100 to 200 " dried-blood. 

Available ^(i) 200 to 400 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -<(2) 175 to 350 " dissolved bone, or 
((3) 250 to 500 " bone-meal. 

i (i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash . , . -< (2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

((3) 320 to 640 " kainit. 

EGG PLANTS. 

Use per acre 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of a fertilizer, con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 5 " 
Potash 9 " 



PLANT FOOD. 53 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 
( (i) 240 to 480 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen 3 (2) 200 to 400 '; sulph. of ammo.,or 

( (3) 400 to 800 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 400 to 800 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 350 to 700 " dissolved bone, or 
((3) 500 to 1000 " bone-meal. 

( (i) 180 to 360 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash ^2) 180 to 360 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 700 to 1400 " kainit. 

FLAX. 

Use per acre 325 to 650 pounds of a fertilizer containing : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 8 

Potash 9 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively: 

Pounds materials per acre. 
( (i) 60 to 120 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen ] (2) 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 100 to 200 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 200 to 400 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 175 to 350 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 250 to 500 " bone-meal. 

( (i) 60 to 120 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash U2) 60 to 120 " sulphate, or 

((3) 250 to 500 " kainit. 



54 



PLANT FOOD, 



GOOSEBERRIES. 

Fertilizer for Gooseberries, same as for Currant?,. 

GRAPES. 

Use per acre from 400 to 800 pounds of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 8 " 
Potash II " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 




Grapes, unfertilized. — Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines, N. C. 



PLANT FOOD. 



55 




Grapes, with medium fertiliza.tion. — Experiment Farm. 
Southern Pines, N. C. 




Grapes, with heavy fertilization — Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines, N. C. 



56 PLANT FOOD. 



Nitrogen -( (2 

lis 

Available ( (i 

Phosphoric Acid < (2 

((3 

Potash -l (2 



rounds Diaterials per acre. 
50 to 100 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
40 to 80 '' sulph. of ammo., or 
80 to 160 " dried-blood. 

250 to 500 lbs. acid phosphate, or 
200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
300 to 600 " bone-meal. 

90 to 180 lbs. muriate, or 
90 to 180 *' sulphate, or 
350 to 700 " kainit. 

Suggestio/is. Much of the nitrogen can be supplied by- 
growing clover between the rows and turning under. Ex- 
cessive use of stable-manure is believed to produce a growth 
of weakened vitality, not able readily to withstand attacks 
of fungous diseases. Once in a few years, lime may be 
applied to advantage. 

GRASS FOR PASTURES. 

Use per acre from 750 to 1,500 pounds of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 8 " 
Potash 10 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre, 
i (i) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen \ (2) 75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3^ '50 to 300 " dried-blood. 

Available ^ (i) 250 to 500 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 3°° to 600 '' bone-meal. 



PLANT FOOD. 57 

( (i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash ^ (2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 275 to 550 " kainit. 

Suggesfwf?s. It is probable that the droppings from 
animals will furnish most of the nitrogen needed, but pains 
should be taken occasionally to run some kind of smooth- 
ing harrow over the ground to distribute the droppings 
evenly. 

GRASS FOR LAWNS. 
Use 400 to 800 pounds per acre of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 6 

Potash 8 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Founds materials per acre. 
( (i) I20 to 240 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen ■! (2) 100 to 200 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 200 to 400 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (0 200 to 400 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 175 to 350 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 250 to 500 " bone-meal. 

( (i) 60 to 120 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash ■! (2) 60 to 1 20 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 250 to 500 " kainit. 

Suggestions. As a more specific mixture, we suggest the 
following : 100 lbs, nitrate of soda, 100 lbs. bone-meal, 100 
lbs. acid phosphate, and 100 lbs. muriate of potash per acre. 



58 PLANT FOOD. 

GRASS FOR MEADOWS. 

Use from 375 to 750 lbs. per acre of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively: 

Pounds materials per acre, 
i (i) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of sodn, or 

Nitrogen •< (2) 75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 15° to 300 " dried-u'iood. 

Available ^ (i) 250 to 500 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid X (2) 200 to 400 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 3°o to 600 " bone-meal. 

^ (i) 70 to 140 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -S (2) 70 to 140 " sulphate, or 

((3) 275 to 550 " kainit. 

Suggestions. The fact cannot be too strongly emphasized 

that meadows from which grass is cut year after year should 

be regularly fertilized every year in a liberal manner. 

HOPS. 

Use per acre 650 to 1,300 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . . 6 " 
Potash 12 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 



PLANT FOOD. 



59 



Nitrogen 

Avail 
Phosphoric Ac 



Available ( 

id I 



Potash. 



Pounds materials per acre. 
i) 1 20 to 240 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

2) 100 to 200 " sulph. of ammo., or 

3) 20010400 " dried-blood. 

i) 275 to 550 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

2) 250 to 500 " dissolved bone, or 

3) 350 to 700 " bone-meal. 

i) 200 to 400 lbs. muriate, or 

2) 200 to 400 " sulphate, or 

3) 800 to 1600 " kainit. 

LETTUCE. 



Use per acre 800 to 1,600 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . 6 " 

Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively: 

Pounds )naterials per acre. 
i) 250 to 500 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
'2) 200 to 400 '' sulph. of ammo , or 
[3) 400 to 800 " 



Nitrogen 

Avail 
Phosphoric 



Available i 

)ric Acid X 



dried-blood. 

i) 400 to 800 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

2) 350 to 700 " dissolved bone, or 

3) 500 to 1000 " bone-meal. 

i) 150 to 300 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -^ (2) 150 to 300 " sulphate, or 

3) 600 to 1200 " kainit. 

Suggestions. When lettuce is grown under glass, use 
about half as much nitrogen and a half more phosphoric 
acid and potash than indicated above. 



5o PLANT FOOD. 

LUCERNE. 

Fertilizer for Lucerne, same as for Alfalfa. 

NURSERY STOCK. 

Use per acre 325 to 650 pounds of the following 
fertilizer : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 

Potash 7 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively. 

Pounds materials per acre. 
i. (i) 60 to 120 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen •] (2) 50 to 100 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 100 to 200 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 200 to 400 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 175 to 350 " dissolved bone, or 
((3) 250 to 500 " bone-meal, 

!(i) 60 to 120 lbs. muriate, or 
(2) 60 to 120 " sulphate, or 
(3) 240 to 480 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Excess of nitrogen produces a rapid bit 
weak growth of wood. 

OATS. 
On average soils, it would be best to give oats 300 to 600 
pounds per acre of a fertilizer containing: 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 

Potash 9 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 



PLANT FOOD. 6l 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

r(i) 75 to 150 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen 4(2) 60 to 1 20 " sulph. of ammo., or 

((3) 120 to 240 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 160 to 320 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -1(2) 140 to 280 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 200 to 400 " bone-meal. 

( (i) 60 to 120 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -1(2) 60 to 120 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 250 to 500 " kainit. 

ONIONS. 

Use per acre 900 to 1,800 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 5 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

270 to 540 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
22510450 " sulph. of ammo., or 
450 to 900 " dried-blood. 



(I 
Nitrogen ^ (2 

(3 



Available T (i 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2 

(3 

(I 
Potash \{2 

(3 



450 to 900 lbs. acid phosphate, or 
385 to 770 " dissolved bone, or 
550 to 1 100 " bone-meal. 

160 to 320 lbs. muriate, or 
160 to 320 " sulphate, or 
650 to 1300 " kainit. 



62 PLANT FOOD. 

Suggestions. Fresh stable-manure is to be avoided on 
account of weed-seeds and also a tendency to favor the 
growth of onion-maggots. Stable-manure is preferably- 
used in soil two years before planting onions. An excess 
of nitrogen delays the ripening and injures the keeping 
qualities of the onions. 

PARSNIPS. 
Use per acre 650 to 1,300 pounds of a fertilizer as 
follows : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 9 '' 
Potash 8 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively. 

Poujtds materials per acre. 
i{i) 120 to 240 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 
.... \ (2^ 100 to 200 " sulph. of ammo., or 



Nitrogen. 



( (3) 200 to 400 " dried-blood. 



Available ( (i) 45010 900 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -I (2) 375 to 750 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 55° to 1 100 " bone-meal. 

!(i) 100 to 200 lbs. muriate, or 
(2) 100 to 200 " sulphate, or 
(3) 400 to 800 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Stable-manure, when used, is preferably 
applied the preceding year. 

PEACHES. 

Use 750 to 1500 pounds per acre of a fertilizer con' 
taining : 



PLANT FOOD. 62 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 5 " 

Potash 7 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

rounds inaterzals per acre. 

f (i) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen - Iz) 75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo., or 

((3) 150 to 300 " dried-blood. 

Available \\'\ 3f J"^ ^f ^^f- ^^id phosphate, or 
Phosphoric Acid C \) ^^° ^ 560 dissolved bone, or 

^ ) (3) 400 to 800 bone-meal. 

Hi) 1 10 to 220 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash - (2) 1 10 to 220 " sulphate, or 

) (3) 450 to 900 " kainit. 

Suggestions. Much of tlie nitrogen may be furnished by 
raising leguminous crops between the rows of trees and 
turning under for green-manure. It is claimed that large 
applications of potash enable the trees more readily to 
withstand the disease known as "Peach Yellows." 

PEARS. 

Fertilizer for Pears, same as for Apples. 

PEAS. 

Fertilizer for Peas, same as for Beans. 
Suggestions. When peas are raised for picking green, 
larger amounts of nitrate of soda may be used to advantage. 

PLUMS. 

Fertilizer for Plums, same as for Cherries. 



64 



PLANT FOOD, 




Peaches. — Unfertilized. 




Peaches. — Fertilized with Potash, Phosphoric Acid and Nitrogen. 
Experiment Farm, Southern Pines, N. C. 



PLANT FOOD. 65 

POTATOES (Sweet or White) 

For general purposes use per acre 750 to 1500 pounds 
of a fertilizer containing : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 6 " 

Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 

r (i) 180 to 360 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen i (2) 150 to 300 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 300 to 600 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 325 to 650 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -< (2) 275 to 550 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 400 to 800 " bone-meal. 

^(i) 130 to 260 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -| (2) 130 to 260 " sulphate, or 

((3) 520 to 1040 " kainit. 

Suggestions. The use of stable-manure appears to favor 
the growth of potato-scab. When used, stable-manure 
should be applied to a preceding crop. Wood-ashes are also 
reported to favor the attack of the scab. It is commonly 
held that sulphate of potash produces potatoes of better 
quality than does muriate. The testimony on this point is 
conflicting. 

RADISHES. 

A good fertilizer for radishes per acre is 500 to 1,000 
pounds of the following mixture : 



66 



PLANT FOOD. 




Potatoes, — Unfertilized. Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines. N. C. 




Potatoes._Fertiuzed with Potash. Phosphoric Acid and Nitrc 
GEN. Experiment Farm, Southern Pines, N. C 



PLANT FOOD. 



67 




Sweet Potatoes, — Unfertilized. Experiment Farm, 
Southern Pines, N. C. 







Sweet Potatoes. — Fertilized with Potash, Phosphoric Acid and 
Nitrogen. Experiment Farm, Southern Pines, N. C. 



68 PLANT FOOD. 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 

Potash. . , 9 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 
( (1) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen {{2) 75 to 150 '• sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 15° to 3°° " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 280 to 560 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 250 to 500 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 35° to 700 " bone-meal. 

[ (i) 90 to 180 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash ^(2) 90 to 180 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 350 to 700 " kainit. 

RASPBERRIES. 

Use 600 to 1,200 pounds per acre of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid. . . 7 " 

Potash 10 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 
( (0 75 to 150 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen •! (2) 60 to 120 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 120 to 240 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (1) 320 to 640 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 280 to 560 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 400 to 800 " bone-meal. 



PLANT FOOD. 69 

Pounds materials per acre. 

f (i) 120 to 240 lbs. muriate, or 
Potash •] (2) 120 to 240 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 480 to 960 '* kainit. 

RYE. 

Fertilizer for Rye, same as for Oats. 
Suggestions. Nitrogen is preferable in the form of 
nitrate of soda rather than stable-manure. Excessive use 
of nitrogen should be avoided. 

SORGHUM. 

Fertilizer for Sorghum, same as for Corn. 
SPINACH. 
Use per acre 750 to 1,500 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 2 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 " 
Potash 5 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds jnaterials per acre. 

i (i) 90 to 180 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen \{A 75 to 150 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 150 to 300 " dried-blood. 

Available ^ (i) 450 to 900 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 375 to 750 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 55° to HOC " bone-meal. 

(i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -^(2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

(3) 320 to 640 " kainit. 



yo PLANT FOOD. 

SQUASHES. 

Fertilizer for Squashes, same as for Cucumbers. 

STRAWBERRIES. 

Apply per acre 825 to 1650 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 3 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 7 " 
Potash 9 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen^ 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds tnaferia/s per acre. 

r (i) 150 to 300 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen ^ (2) 125 to 250 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 250 to 500 " dried-blood. 

Available ( (i) 450 to 900 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 375 to 750 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 55° to 1 100 " bone-meal. 

i (i) 140 to 280 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash •] (2) 140 to 280 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 550 to 1100 " kainit. 

TOBACCO. 

Use per acre 750 to 1,500 pounds of a fertilizer con- 
taining : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid.. 6 " 
Potash , . . 10 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen^ 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 



PLANT FOOD. 



71 



Pounds mater-ials per acre. 
(i) 180 to 360 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen -j (2) 15010300 " sulph. of ammo.,or 

(3) 300 to 600 " dried-blood. 

Available i' (i) 400 to 800 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid -j (2) 350 to 700 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 5°° to 1000 " bone-meal. 

^(i) 160 to 320 lbs. sulphate, or 

Potash -| (2) 320 to 640 " sulphate of potash- 

( magnesia. 

Suggestions. Stable-manure may advantageously be ap- 
plied to the preceding crop. Potash should be used only in 
form of sulphate. 

TOMATOES. 

On an acre use 625 to 1,250 pounds of a fertilizer 
containing : 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 6 " 
Potash 7 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 

used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 

phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre, 
i (i) 150 to 300 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

Nitrogen ' (^) 125 to 250 " sulph. of ammo., or 

( (3) 250 to 500 " dried-blood. 

Available T (i) 280 to 560 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 250 to 500 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 35° to 700 " bone-meal. 

{ (i) 80 to 160 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash •] (2) 80 to 160 " sulphate, or 

( (3) 320 to 640 " kainit. 



72 



PLANT FOOD. 




Tobacco Unfertilized. 





tm 




■'s?'" 






1 


MM 


V -^ a L "'"^I^P ' W^' ' s* . 




H 






[[jlgj^l^^ 


^7^ ""'■- i^S^ 


J tai 




w 






W> 







Tobacco Fertilized with Potash, Phosphoric Acid and Nitrogen. 
Experiment Farm, Southern Pines N. C. 



PLANT FOOD. 73 

TURNIPS. 

Fertilizer for Turnips, same as for Beets. 

VETCH. 

Fertilizer for Vetch, same as for Cow Peas. 

WATERMELONS. 

Fertilizer for Watermelons, same as for Cucumbers 

WHEAT. 

Use per acre 300 to 600 pounds of a fertilizer containing: 

Nitrogen 4 per cent. 

Available Phosphoric Acid . . 7 *' 
Potash 4 " 

Instead of the above the following materials may be 
used which will furnish equivalent quantities of nitrogen, 
phosphoric acid and potash respectively : 

Pounds materials per acre. 



r (i) 75 to 150 lbs. nitrate of soda, or 

\ (2) 60 to I2C 



Nitrogen -j (2) 60 to 120 "• sulph. of ammo., or 

[ (3) 120 to 240 " dried-blood. 

Available T (i) 160 to 320 lbs. acid phosphate, or 

Phosphoric Acid \ (2) 140 to 280 " dissolved bone, or 
( (3) 200 to 400 " bone-meal. 

(i) 25 to 50 lbs. muriate, or 

Potash -| (2) 25 to 50 " sulphate, or 

(3) 100 to 200 " kainit. 



SUGGESTIONS RELATING TO SEPARATE 
FERTILIZING INGREDIENTS. 

It will generally be found more economical to purchase 
fertilizing materials of high grade. In applying fertilizers, 



74 PLANT FOOD, 

bulk is often desirable, but in purchasing commercial fertil- 
izers, the object should be to secure as much nitrogen, 
potash and phosphoric acid in available forms as possible 
for one dollar, instead of as many pounds as possible of 
fertilizers, regardless of the amount of plant food contained 
in it. This is particularly applicable to mixed fertilizers. 
Since there is a smaller bulk to handle in mixing, a smaller 
number of packages for holding and, consequently, less 
weight and freight, it is, as a rule, more economical to 
purchase fertilizers in their more concentrated forms. For 
illustration, it is more economical to purchase one ton of a 
high-grade fertilizer than three tons of a low-grade fertilizer, 
one ton of the former containing the same amount of plant- 
food contained in three tons of the latter; because, in 
making the latter, three times as many packages are re- 
quired and three times as much freight must be paid all 
for the same amount of plant-food. 

Fertilizers cannot, as a rule, be in too finely powdered 
condition, nor can they be too dry. With many materials, 
bone for example, the availability as plant-food is directly 
dependent upon the fineness of division. Excessive moist- 
ure in fertilizer is undesirable on several grounds. First, 
the larger the amount of moisture, the smaller will be the 
amount of plant-food in a ton. Second, excess of moisture 
causes the particles to stick together, and is likely to result 
in caking and clogging when used in drills. Third, an 
excess of moisture favors the decomposition and loss of 
nitrogen in many forms of organic matter. This is shown 
by the fact that some fertilizers give off a very offensive 



PLANT FOOD. 75 

odor if allowed to become damp, while they are compara- 
tively free from disagreeable odors if they are thoroughly 
dry. A strong odor in a fertilizer is an indication that 
organic matter is decomposing and nitrogen is being lost. 

METHODS AND SEASONS OF APPLYING FERTILIZERS. 

The effect of a fertilizer is lost if it does not reach the 
plant roots. Pains must be taken to secure even and com- 
plete distribution of fertilizers on or in the soil, since it is 
desired to have the food reach every plant in the field. In 
order to distribute small quantities of concentrated fertil- 
izers over a broad area, it is well to dilute by mixing with 
some such substance as dry earth, road-dust, sifted coal- 
ashes or sand. 

As between applying fertilizers with the drill or by 
broadcasting, the best results are given sometimes by one 
and sometimes by the other method, according to circum- 
stances. When a fertilizer is especially needed by a crop 
in its earliest stages, there is advantage in drilling it in with 
the seed. When concentrated fertilizers are to be distributed 
broadcast, it is desirable that they should be somewhat 
diluted. 

Materials which are readily soluble can be scattered over 
the surface. After the first fall of rain they distribute them- 
selves '.hroughout the soil very completely and uniformly. 
Such materials are nitrate of soda, sulphate of ammonia, 
soluble phosphates, and soluble potash salts. These ma- 
terials are preferably used in case of top dressings. 

Materials which are not readily soluble are preferably 



76 PLANT FOOD. 

well mixed through and beneath the soil. Thus, dried- 
blood, bone-meal, fish-scrap, and similar materials are best 
placed at greater depth beneath the soil, because under 
these conditions they become soluble more rapidly and are 
retained more surely by the soil. 

Time of application. Fertilizers which dissolve easily 
and diffuse through soil rapidly and which are not readily 
retained by the soil, are best applied only when the crop is 
ready to utilize them. If put on too early, there is danger 
of their being leached from the soil and carried more or 
less beyond the reach of the plant, and thus lost. Nitrate, 
and to a less extent, ammonia compounds, come under this 
precaution. Hence it is not wise ordinarly to apply 
guano, ammonia compounds or nitrate of soda in the fall, 
except in climates which have a dry fall and winter. Their 
application should be deferred until spring. In wet spring, 
ammonia compounds are preferably applied rather than 
nitrate of soda ; or, if nitrate of soda is used, loss may be 
avoided by making several small applications instead of one 
at the start. Care should be taken, however, not to make 
applications of nitrate of soda too late in the season, as the 
maturing of the crop will be retarded and there will be an 
excessive growth of stems and leaves. 

Fertilizers which do not dissolve readily or which do not 
diffuse through the soil rapidly are better applied to the 
land before the crop commences its growth. To this class 
belong stable-manure, bone-manure, dried-blood, tankage, 
cotton-seed-meal, ground-rock, and, to some extent, soluble 
phosphates and potash compounds. 



PLANT FOOD. 77 

In applying highly concentrated commercial fertilizers, 
it is wise to prevent the fertilizer coming in contact with 
the seeds or foliage of plants. Fertilizers containing am- 
monia compounds should not be mixed with wood-ashes, 
lime, or Thomas slag (odorless phosphate), since some of 
the ammonia is likely to be lost. 

On soils of loose texture and small retentive power, it is 
best to use, for the most part, those forms of fertilizers 
which are not too easily soluble, in order to make as small 
as possible the losses occasioned by heavy rains. Animal 
and vegetable materials are specially suited for such cases. 

In order to use farm-yard manures to the best advantage 
on the average soil, we need to supplement them with com- 
mercial fertilizers containing available phosphoric acid and 
potash. To give a roughly approximate idea, we might say 
that for every ton of stable-manure applied, it would be 
well to use with it from 50 to 100 pounds of acid phosphate 
and from 25 to 50 pounds of high-grade muriate or sulphate 
of potash. It appears to be the prevailing belief both in 
theory and practice that best results are ordinarily secured 
by applying stable-manure to the soil in as fresh condition 
as possible. Fresh manure gives better results than rotted 
manure on heavy clay soils, when one desires to lighten the 
condition of the soil. However, when one desires direct 
fertilizing action promptly, fresh manure gives sufficiently 
quick returns on light soils, becoming available as fast as 
the plant needs it, if the season is not too dry. On heavy 
clay soils, manure decomposes slowly and the constituents 
of fresh manure may not become available as fast as needed. 



78 PLANT FOOD. 

Fresh manure has a tendency to favor rapid growth of 
foliage and stems at the expense of the fruit and grain. It 
is, therefore more suitable for grasses, forage plants and 
leafy crops than for grains. Such crops as potatoes, sugar- 
beets and tobacco appear to be injured in quality by the 
direct application of stable-manure. It is advised in such 
cases to apply the manure in the fall previous to the spring 
in which the crops are to be put in, thus allowing time for 
a considerable amount of decomposition. 

In rotted manure, the fertilizing constituents, as a rule, 
are in readily available form for the use of plants. Such 
manure is less bulky and more easily distribvited than fresh 
manure. It is also less likely to promote the too rapid 
growth of stems and leaves as in the case of fresh manure. 
For the improvement of the mechanical condition of a soil, 
the best results come from using rotted manure on light 
soils. It must, however, be remembered that on such soils 
there is more or less danger that some portion of the 
valuable fertilizing constituents may be leached out and 
lost. On this account it is found advisable to apply such 
manure to light soils only a short time before it is needed by 
the crop. In general, rotted manure is better adapted to spring 
applications. It is better to apply rotted manure on light 
soils at frequent intervals in small amounts. In warm, moist 
climates, it makes much less difference whether the manure 
is applied in fresh or rotted condition. In cold climates, 
however, the use of decomposed manure is preferable. 

Three methods of applying manure on the field are in 
common practice. 



PLANT FOOD. 79 

Applying in Heaps. By this method the manure is distrib- 
uted in heaps over the field and permitted to lie some time 
before being spread. This method is objectionable for 
several reasons. The labor of handling is increased ; there 
is danger from loss of decomposition and leaching ; the 
manure is not uniformly distributed, the spots beneath the 
heaps being more thoroughly manured on account of the 
leaching. Storing manure in very large heaps is less objec- 
tionable, provided the heap is carefully covered with earth 
and not allowed to lie too long. 

Applying Broadcast. By this method the manure is 
spread more or less completely and evenly on the field, 
being plowed in at once or allowed to lie some time on the 
surface. This is preferably practiced on the level field, 
where there is little danger from surface washing. In late 
fall and early spring, there is likely to be very little loss of 
nitrogen. On a loose soil, there may be loss from leaching, 
if the manure is spread long before the crop is put into the 
soil ; but in average experience this is not apt to be con- 
siderable. This method has the advantage of uniform 
distribution as the liquid portion is evenly by degrees 
mixed with the soil. When manure is leached of its soluble 
nitrogen compounds, it does not decompose so readily. On 
this account, it is well, in case of light or porous soils, to 
plow the manure in as soon as spread. In regard to the 
depth in which manure should be plowed in, it is safe to 
say that in very compact soils, the depth should not be 
greater than four inches, while in lighter soils the depth 
may be increased. It is important that the manure be near 



8o PLANT FOOD. 

enough the surface to allow access of sufficient moisture 

and air, in order that decomposition may not be too much 

delayed. 

Applying in Rows. This method has the advantage of 

placing the manure where it will reach the plant most 

quickly and enabling one to use smaller amounts than 

in broadcasting. It is especially applicable for forcing^ 

some garden crops. Rotted manure gives good results 

when used this way. 

RULES FOR CALCULATING FROM ONE COMPOUND 
INTO OTHER COMPOUNDS. 

Compounds Containing Nitrogen. 

To change ammonia into an equivalent amount of nitro- 
gen, multiply the amount of ammonia by 0.82. 

To change nitrogen into an equivalent amount of am- 
monia, multiply the amount of nitrogen by i .21. 

To change nitrate of soda into an equivalent amount of 
ammonia, divide the amount of nitrate of soda by 5. 

To change nitrate of soda into an equivalent amount of 
nitrogen, divide the amount of nitrate of soda by 6. 

To change nitrogen into an equivalent amount of nitrate 
of soda, multiply the nitrogen by 6. 

To change sulphate of ammonia into an equivalent 
amount of ammonia, divide the amount of pure sulphate of 
ammonia by 4. 

To change ammonia into an equivalent amount of sul- 
phate of ammonia, multiply the amount of ammonia by 39. 

To change nitrate of potash into an equivalent amount 
of nitrogen, divide the amount of nitrate of potash by 72. 



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